Develops SOMI-1, wireless Bluetooth motion sensors as MIDI controllers for musicians and dancers

Instruments of Things

New on Amplifa

2022MIDI Innovation Award: Best Commercial Hardware Product

About Instruments of Things

Instruments of Things develops and markets the SOMI-1 system: a MIDI controller consisting of wireless Bluetooth motion sensors and a receiver hub. The sensors measure movement, tilt angles and accelerations with a precision of around 0.01 degrees and convert them into MIDI parameters in real time; latency is under 10 ms with a range of up to 50 meters. Up to six sensors can be used simultaneously, and the battery life is up to 30 hours. The hub connects via USB-MIDI or TRS-MIDI to any MIDI-capable software or hardware without additional drivers. The offering includes ready-made preset projects for Ableton Live, the SOMI-1 Editor app for advanced settings, and accessories such as wrist straps and clothing clips. The system is used by professional performers, dancers and musicians, among others at Ars Electronica Linz and Superbooth Berlin. In 2022, SOMI-1 received the MIDI Innovation Award as Best Commercial Hardware Product.

Processes: Provision of ready-made preset projects for Ableton Live, SOMI-1 Editor app for advanced MIDI settings, Quick-start guide and support
Materials: Bluetooth 5 protocol, MIDI (USB-MIDI, TRS-MIDI, MIDI Host), USB-C / TRS-MIDI
Industries: Music/audio equipment, Live performance, Dance, Music production

01
Hardware development
02
Firmware/protocol (Bluetooth 5)
03
Software development (editor, presets)
04
Distribution via online shop

Products & Functions

BT5

Bluetooth 5 protocol

Proprietary wireless low-latency protocol for transmitting sensor data.

MIDI

MIDI (USB-MIDI, TRS-MIDI, MIDI Host)

Standardized interface for direct connection to music software and hardware.

USB-C

USB-C / TRS-MIDI

Connection options of the SOMI-1 hub to music software, hardware or mobile apps.

Components & Parts

**SOMI-1 Motion Sensor**Bluetooth motion sensor · Music/audio equipment

**SOMI-1 Finger Clip**3D printing file (accessory) · Music/audio equipment

**Motion Sensor Wristband**Wrist strap · Music/audio equipment

**Motion Sensor Clothing Clip**Clothing clip · Music/audio equipment

**IO-Lights MIDI Controller**MIDI controller · Music/audio equipment

Inside the production

Industries

Music/audio equipmentLive performanceDanceMusic production

Additional services

Provision of ready-made preset projects for Ableton LiveSOMI-1 Editor app for advanced MIDI settingsQuick-start guide and support

Reference customers

Cat JimenezDaniel KohlmeignerMartin Retschitzegger (Ars Electronica Linz)JakoJakoAnnalise "Nana" Van Eve (Superbooth Berlin)FMKF collective with choreographer Franka Marlene Foth

History

2022
MIDI Innovation Award: Best Commercial Hardware Product 2022 for SOMI-1
Successful Kickstarter campaign for SOMI-1